In this series, we’ve talked a lot about the logistics of a good marketing plan (research, timing, and budgeting) to ensure that you have a successful long-term plan. For the final installation of this series, I want to talk about the best attitude to cultivate relationships and support your success. When you’re marketing, the right attitude can open a lot of doors and keep you motivated!

Attitude is Everything!

Do: Be Grateful

At any phase in your career, it’s likely that you need the media more than they need you. So what does that mean for your marketing efforts? If you book an interview, keep in mind that most media people don’t have the time to read your book. So, make it easy for them to promote you. I’ve found it’s useful to carry an index card with book highlights on it and hand it to them prior to the interview. After the interview is over, thank them, and send a follow up thank-you note after the interview.

Also, never ask for an interview to be redone. I mention this, because it actually happened to a producer friend of mine who did an interview with a guy, and he decided he didn’t like it and wanted a second shot. As I said before, members of the media are busy – they do not have time to redo an interview. When interacting with the media, the best thing you can do is create relationships. Put your best foot forward: show up on time, prepared, and always, always, always be grateful.

Don’t: Be Negative

There’s a lot of negativity out there. However, I’m going to ask that you ignore that negativity. Your mental attitude has a lot to do with your success and your personal stamina to keep going and keep marketing. Yes, there are a lot of books out there, and a lot of other authors competing for the same virtual shelf space you are. The more you can stay positive, the more wind you will have in your sails. Believe me, this is true. I don’t mean to ignore the realities of being in publishing, but I would advise you to just stay above it all.

I once worked with an author who was one of the most amazing writers I’ve ever seen. Honestly. Every book this author wrote had mega-bestseller written all over it. But he was always, always negative – about everything. He was eventually dropped from his publishing house, because he was so hard to please and so hard to work with that no one could stand him. Don’t waste your time and energy on negativity, but focus it on your long-term goals.

For many authors, marketing can seem like an impossible task. But, that’s why I created this series of marketing do’s and don’ts. In Part 1, we talked what you should research, and which “experts” you should consult to create a long-term plan. In Part 2, we talked about where you should and shouldn’t invest your marketing budget. Finally, in Part 3, we talked about the best mindset to cultivate relationships and support your success!

Penny C. Sansevieri, Founder and CEO Author Marketing Experts, Inc., is a best-selling author and internationally recognized book marketing and media relations expert. She is an Adjunct Professor teaching Self-Publishing for NYU.
Her company is one of the leaders in the publishing industry and has developed some of the most innovative Social Media/Internet book marketing campaigns. She is the author of twelve books, including How to Sell Your Books by the Truckload on Amazon and Red Hot Internet Publicity, which has been called the "leading guide to everything Internet."
To learn more about Penny’s books or her promotional services, you can visit her web site at www.amarketingexpert.com.